Travel Through Ming and Qing Dynasties | Super Detailed Travel Guide to Pingyao Ancient City

🎇 Travel Through Ming and Qing Dynasties | Super Detailed Travel Guide to Pingyao Ancient City

Come to Pingyao and instantly travel back to the Ming and Qing dynasties, experiencing the vibrant life and elegance of this ancient city🎆 Here is a super detailed guide to help you fully enjoy Pingyao without any regrets!

🏮 Preparation Before Travel
Documents: ID card, various discount certificates (such as student ID, senior citizen card, etc.).
Clothing: Bring appropriate clothes according to the season. Spring and autumn have large temperature differences between morning and evening, remember to bring a jacket; prepare sun protection in summer; keep warm in winter. The ancient city has stone slab roads, so comfortable flat shoes are recommended👟
Electronics: Mobile phone, camera, charger, power bank.
Others: Rain gear, sun protection products, common medicines like stomach medicine💊

🚗 Transportation Guide
✈️ Airplane: You can first arrive at Taiyuan Wusu International Airport, then transfer by high-speed train or bus to Pingyao. There is a direct shuttle bus from the airport to Pingyao Ancient City, about 2 hours by bus.
🚄 High-speed train: Many trains stop at Pingyao Ancient City Station. After exiting, you can take bus No. 108 (fare 1 yuan) or a taxi to the ancient city. Taxi takes about 30 minutes and costs 30-40 yuan.
🚞 Train: Pingyao Station is very close to the West Gate of the ancient city, within walking distance. Follow the signs after exiting the station, it takes about 15 minutes to enter the ancient city.

🏠 Accommodation Recommendations
📍 Inside the Ancient City:

- Yuchengyuan Inn: A typical northern-style siheyuan courtyard surrounded by greenery🌳 The rooms have small antique decorations with strong Jin merchant characteristics. Families can choose the cave house suite, spacious and comfortable. Located near the main street, convenient for travel.
- Nanshuyuan Inn: Close to the county government office and ancient city wall, with sightseeing buses directly at the door. A three-entrance courtyard, perfect for Jin merchant style photo shoots. Rooms feature Pingyao’s characteristic cave house kang beds, plus a large leisure area for playing chess and drinking tea.
📍 Outside the Ancient City:
- Duolanda Hotel: A newly popular hotel, over 100 yuan per night including two breakfasts, very cost-effective. Fully equipped with smart devices, featuring the same zero-pressure latex memory pillows popular online, very comfortable for rest. A 5-minute drive to the ancient city, 2.6 km from the Youjian Pingyao Theater.

🎯 Must-Visit Attractions

1. Pingyao City Wall: A must-visit! Originally built during the Western Zhou Dynasty under King Xuan, the current structure dates from the Ming Dynasty’s Hongwu third year expansion. You can enter the city wall from Yingxun Gate or the North Gate, rent a bicycle🚲 to circle the wall and overlook the entire ancient city. It’s recommended to visit at dusk to see the stunning sunset🌅
2. Pingyao Ancient County Government Office: The most complete and largest ancient county government office remaining in China. There is a daily performance of the county magistrate holding court and passing judgment, allowing you to experience ancient official culture.
3. Rishengchang Draft Bank: The pioneer of China’s banking industry, here you can learn about the glorious history of Jin merchants and the operation model of draft banks.
4. Xietongqing Qianzhuang: Home to the largest underground vault still existing in China. Walking into the vault feels like traveling back to the era when Jin merchants dominated.
5. Majia Courtyard: Former residence of Ma Zhongxuan, the richest man in Pingyao during the Qing Dynasty. It features typical northern Ming and Qing large family architecture with exquisite courtyard layout, worth savoring in detail.

🍜 Food Guide

1. Hongwuji Restaurant: Pingyao Jin cuisine TOP1! Signature braised beef with aged vinegar, beef is tender and flavorful, with a slightly sweet vinegar aroma; the sauce is perfect for mixing with rice. The yellow millet cold cake is soft and sticky, wrapped with osmanthus honey, refreshing and relieving greasiness.
2. Dongji Fried Wanton: A century-old wanton specialty store. Must-try are ham twist fried wantons, buckwheat wantons are chewy and soft, twists are fragrant; eat the bubble oil cake hot, crispy outside with a red bean molten center.
3. Mr. Liang’s Yogurt: Original aged vinegar yogurt and sea buckthorn yogurt are very distinctive. The shop also sells Pingyao-themed cultural and creative fridge magnets.

📸 Photo Spots

1. Ancient City Wall: With the panoramic view of the ancient city as the background, every shot is a great photo.
2. Majia Courtyard: The hanging flower gate and courtyard are excellent photo locations. Wearing traditional costumes for photos is very atmospheric.
3. Ming and Qing Street: At night, red lanterns light up, creating a full atmosphere perfect for shooting ancient style masterpieces.

🎭 Show Recommendation
"You See Pingyao Again": A must-see immersive performance telling the story of a Jin merchant family, from choosing a wife, escorting journeys to returning home, showcasing the benevolence and responsibility of Jin merchants. It offers a deep experience of Pingyao culture. The show lasts about 1.5 hours, remember to book tickets in advance.